After several years, Zero for December not reached

Published: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8:36 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8:36 a.m.

For the past several years, State Police Troop C has had a Zero for December campaign that aims for no fatal wrecks during the holidays, but the goal wasn’t reached this last time.

“The main message is the goal,” said Trooper Evan Harrell. “Even though we have fatalities, we still campaign to help raise awareness.”

The campaign runs from Thanksgiving until Jan. 2. There were six fatal wrecks during that time in Troop C’s area, which encompasses Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes, as well as parts of St. Johns and St. James parishes. Of those wrecks, two were in St. James, two in Lafourche and two in Terrebonne.

Zero for December also includes State Police along with local agencies boosting drunk-driving enforcement with extra patrols. Harrell said the extra presence serves to act as a deterrent to people who may consider drinking and driving.

“We put more troopers on the road for holidays because we see more alcohol consumption due to the festivities,” Harrell said.

Of the fatal wrecks during the holidays, alcohol was apparent in only one.

Gregory Poindexter, 32, while trying to pass a vehicle in a no-pass zone heading north on La. 659, collided head-on with 18-year-old Terri Mckever’s vehicle. After the impact, Poindexter struck the vehicle he was trying to pass, which killed 70-year-old Lindy Bascle.

Poindexter and McKever were transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.

Upon Poindexter’s release from the hospital, he was charged with vehicular homicide and other traffic violations.

The six death tally this year was the same as during the 2012 campaign.

However, Houma Police charged more people for drunk driving in 2012 than in previous years, according to department-supplied data.

More than 230 motorists were charged with DWI in 2012, said Sgt. Daniel Belanger, traffic supervisor for that agency. That’s compared to 155 in 2011 and 129 in 2010.

“Even though we don’t reach our goal of Zero for December, that doesn’t mean we are going to give up on the campaign, and hopefully we will reach that goal someday,” Harrell said.

Harrell said he is confident that strides in raising awareness go a long way in preventing vehicular fatalities.

The department is getting more calls from *557 lines, which are lines motorists can call to report sightings of impaired drivers, he said.

However, some have said putting a concrete number with an initiative may just be aiming for disappointment.

Jamie Ainsworth, spokeswoman for the state Highway Safety Commission, said recent programs such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, don’t have measurable slogans because there is a risk of “setting yourself up for failure.”

Zero for December is something only done in Troop C’s area and not statewide.

Peter Scharf, however, a criminologist at Tulane University in New Orleans, said the tactic is a good one. Much like a business, taxpayers want to see the best way to get the most out of their money. If this means seeing a reduction in fatalities on the road through a program promoting awareness, then it is an effective model.

Harrell said the campaign seems to be affective in raising awareness and reducing fatalities on the road. Either way, he said, the campaign promotes a positive message.

“Every time you lose a life, others are affected,” he said. “To lose a loved one is tragic enough, but to lose them on a holiday is even worse. We have to keep up our efforts and get the word out before people go out there on the road impaired and kill somebody.”

<p>For the past several years, State Police Troop C has had a Zero for December campaign that aims for no fatal wrecks during the holidays, but the goal wasn't reached this last time.</p><p>“The main message is the goal,” said Trooper Evan Harrell. “Even though we have fatalities, we still campaign to help raise awareness.” </p><p>The campaign runs from Thanksgiving until Jan. 2. There were six fatal wrecks during that time in Troop C's area, which encompasses Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes, as well as parts of St. Johns and St. James parishes. Of those wrecks, two were in St. James, two in Lafourche and two in Terrebonne. </p><p>Zero for December also includes State Police along with local agencies boosting drunk-driving enforcement with extra patrols. Harrell said the extra presence serves to act as a deterrent to people who may consider drinking and driving. </p><p>“We put more troopers on the road for holidays because we see more alcohol consumption due to the festivities,” Harrell said. </p><p>Of the fatal wrecks during the holidays, alcohol was apparent in only one.</p><p>Gregory Poindexter, 32, while trying to pass a vehicle in a no-pass zone heading north on La. 659, collided head-on with 18-year-old Terri Mckever's vehicle. After the impact, Poindexter struck the vehicle he was trying to pass, which killed 70-year-old Lindy Bascle.</p><p>Poindexter and McKever were transported to Terrebonne General Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. </p><p>Upon Poindexter's release from the hospital, he was charged with vehicular homicide and other traffic violations. </p><p>The six death tally this year was the same as during the 2012 campaign. </p><p>However, Houma Police charged more people for drunk driving in 2012 than in previous years, according to department-supplied data.</p><p>More than 230 motorists were charged with DWI in 2012, said Sgt. Daniel Belanger, traffic supervisor for that agency. That's compared to 155 in 2011 and 129 in 2010.</p><p>“Even though we don't reach our goal of Zero for December, that doesn't mean we are going to give up on the campaign, and hopefully we will reach that goal someday,” Harrell said.</p><p>Harrell said he is confident that strides in raising awareness go a long way in preventing vehicular fatalities. </p><p>The department is getting more calls from *557 lines, which are lines motorists can call to report sightings of impaired drivers, he said. </p><p>However, some have said putting a concrete number with an initiative may just be aiming for disappointment. </p><p>Jamie Ainsworth, spokeswoman for the state Highway Safety Commission, said recent programs such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, don't have measurable slogans because there is a risk of “setting yourself up for failure.” </p><p>Zero for December is something only done in Troop C's area and not statewide. </p><p>Peter Scharf, however, a criminologist at Tulane University in New Orleans, said the tactic is a good one. Much like a business, taxpayers want to see the best way to get the most out of their money. If this means seeing a reduction in fatalities on the road through a program promoting awareness, then it is an effective model.</p><p>Harrell said the campaign seems to be affective in raising awareness and reducing fatalities on the road. Either way, he said, the campaign promotes a positive message. </p><p>“Every time you lose a life, others are affected,” he said. “To lose a loved one is tragic enough, but to lose them on a holiday is even worse. We have to keep up our efforts and get the word out before people go out there on the road impaired and kill somebody.”</p>